Gamecocks hold on to defeat Princeton

The Gamecocks (7-2) led by as many as 16 points in the second half, but the Tigers (7-4) cut the deficit to 51-48 with 1:56 left on Lincoln Gunn's 3-pointer.

But former Josey standout Dominique Archie slammed a dunk off a pass from Kelley with 1:19 left to clinch the victory.

South Carolina closed the first half on a 17-5 run that started with three free throws and included three buckets by Kelley, including a layup at the buzzer that gave the Gamecocks a 35-22 halftime lead.

Princeton (7-4) closed to within 4 points behind a 12-3 run that included 3-pointers by Koncz, who led the Tigers with 19 points, and Gunn, plus a 3-point play by Marcus Schroeder that cut the lead to 46-42 with 6:52 left.

But Archie hit a bucket - the first in the second half by anyone other than Kelley - and Sheldon nailed a 3-pointer from the wing after a Princeton turnover to give South Carolina a 51-42 lead with 4:33 left. But the Tigers rallied again, pulling within 3 points before the Gamecocks held on.

For Silver Bluff standout Bran-don Wallace had 12 rebounds for South Carolina.